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Meditation at 10 a.m.
Service at 10:30 a.m.
Followed by Fellowship in the Social Hall
| | The web of life demonstrates how intricately we are all connected. We each are but an aspect of the One. Can I thrive if I am functioning as "independent?" Can I even be "independent?" Life is a team sport! | | |
Rev. Gil Olmstead is RGCSL’s Spiritual Director. Rev. Gil’s ministry and service is grounded in collaboration, community, and compassion. When he first came to RGCSL, he felt it was home. He’s excited about our magical journey together and for what is unfolding.
Rev. Gil also works with his wife, Robyn, in their ministry, Live Inspired. They host "Rockin’ the Love," a weekly podcast, where they share insights from over 20 years of spiritual play, disappointments, triumphs, and growth as a couple.
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Susan Clark is RGCSL's Director of Musical Inspiration. A hard-working musician and talented songwriter, she inspires and motivates congregants to dive deeper into spirituality each time she performs. Outside of RGCSL, she shares her talents with Alzheimer's patients and veterans. Susan has received numerous awards and collaborations with New Thought performers. She has produced several CDs, including "Sunlight of The Soul," which contains many of her spiritual songs, specifically crafted with the New Thought community in mind.
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Monthly Theme: Rolling in the Deep
Affirmation of the Week: In this moment, I remember the Truth of who
I am.
| | Rev Kamatara's Affirmation from Last Sunday: | | |
Embodying: It’s Already Done
by Nancy R. Bowers, RScP
In discussing affirmative prayer with a friend, the word “embody” came up. What does it mean to embody a spiritual principal? How do we know that it is already ours? Instead of focusing on all there is to be grateful for, the mind will search for what’s missing. What’s wrong with this picture? It’s what the mind does; it scans the environment for what’s wrong.
I feel like so much less of a freak knowing that’s just what mind does. We are playing cat and mouse. It searches for the defects and I try to remember to notice what it’s up to. If I’m not feeling spiritually connected, I fall for its fear. I concur, “You’re right. It shouldn’t be that way.” But lots of time I catch myself. And then I laugh and laugh because I KNOW it’s always already perfect.
I already AM that which I am seeking. That’s embodying. I am removing the blocks to the awareness of Love's presence. Sometimes I forget and act like it’s outside of me, but it’s not. Even the forgetting is part of the perfection. It’s the growth. It’s the what-is-necessary-in-this-moment expression. All I’m embodying is always for my highest good, even the seeming mistakes. Even when I don’t like it. Even when life feels hard, which is usually because I'm not liking (translate = trusting) how it is unfolding.
When I embody faith, I trust God has it taken care of and I let go of trying to figure any of it out. It helps me to remember that I not only don’t need to figure it out, I can’t! I never really know what anything is for. When I THINK I have figured it out, all I’ve really done is select the best story from the myriad possibilities I’ve imagined and declared it the winner. That’s another thing mind does – it constantly theorizes about what must be true and then treats it as gospel truth.
That's what I've noticed. And when I remember there is nothing I need judge, or even can judge, really, I embody peace. It’s how I surrender to what is. It’s how I remember to love its expression. It’s all God. It's all Good. It's perfect. Even if I am challenged to see it in the moment.
Namaste.
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POSTPONED TILL NEXT WEEK
Birthday Sunday = Hat Sunday
This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, but it's a holiday weekend, so wear your favorite hat NEXT WEEK and let's make celebrating birthdays even more festive!
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Celebrating Rev. Gil's Ordination
Let's have a party to celebrate Gil's Ordination! Your generosity will determine how big of a bash it will be. We haven't settled on an exact date yet but we are thinking sometime this fall. If you would like to contribute click the link below and specify other, noting what that other is. Let's make it a blow out celebration and show him how much we care! Thank you!!!
If you are interested in helping plan the party, please see Carol Ann.
Gil's Ordination
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Save the Date: Labor Day Picnic
Plan to join us at Elena Gallegos Park on September 1st for our Labor Day Picnic. More details to come. Lunch will start around noon. We have the space from 10 - 7.
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Volunteers Needed
Ready to Volunteer? Go see Carol Ann! There are lots of places to volunteer at Rio Grande. You have a special gift just waiting to be discovered in one or more of those places. Call Carol Ann at 505-980-5825 to see where you can volunteer!
Here are some of the volunteer opportunities where you could lend a hand so that we are all contributing and none of us are overtaxed:
- Cleaning up the Social Hall after service - 4 people rotating one Sunday a month (and thank you to all who have just been pitching in!)
- Cleaning the Center - this is one of our most pressing needs; 2 people needed each Saturday (ideally, we'd like a team of 8 people we could rotate
- Newsletter -- sign up to be one of the proofreaders and get an advance sneak peak into what's happening at the center
- Website -- coordinating content and writing key pages for the new website
- Marketing -- help get the word out about all the awesome events going one (Solid Grounds, workshops, classes)
- The Space Committee is still looking for volunteers (see Lou Cimalore)
- Greeters
- Announcements
- Point person for party planning Gil's Ordination (coordinate with Carol Ann)
- Where does your heart feel called to be of service???
Also, let us know when someone is sick and in need of extra TLC so that we can send out a Get-Well card or arrange support through our Compassion Ministries team.
Carol Ann is available with her clipboard after service to help with sign-ups (and if you'd like to get a birthday card, make sure she has your B-day info (disclosing the year is optional).
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Need an Event Venue?
RGCSL can be rented for sacred celebrations, workshops, parties, and other gatherings. This opportunity has many advantages -- lovely space for events; assistance from RGCSL; income for the Center; exposure for RGCSL.
If you are interested in using our space for a ceremonial, performance or other general event, please complete this form https://rgcsl.breezechms.com/form/af0ac93163.
If you are interested in using our space for a workshop, please fill out this form https://rgcsl.breezechms.com/form/af0ac9.
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Stay Safe: Important Information about Impostor Emails
A few members of our congregation have received emails that appear to be from Rev Gil Olmstead or Sheryl Rae. However, they have been found to be imposter emails from people attempting a scam. These email addresses have been reported and are hopefully going to be shut down. But we all know scammers are persistent and will probably just create new ones.
If you receive an email from anyone in our congregation, first check to make sure it is really from that person. You can click the down arrow next to someone's name at the top of an email to see the email address it came from. If you are unsure, check Breeze for the correct email address of that person, or contact them directly by phone to verify it is from them.
Never click a link in any email (or text) if you are not sure about the sender. If you receive a fake email, please forward it to our tech team at IT@rgcsl.org
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Sunday Potluck Alert!
Calling all food lovers and kitchen magicians! Every Sunday, we turn mealtime into a community feast — and you’re invited to bring a dish to share! Whether it's Grandma’s secret casserole, your go-to salad, or store-bought (no judgment!), we’d love for you to join the fun. Come hungry, leave happy, and let’s make Sundays the tastiest day of the week!
Where: Social Hall - Rio Grande CSL
When: Sundays after 10:30 service
What to Bring: A dish to share + your appetite!
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You are invited to experience a Reiki session!
Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki
If sometimes it feels like you're broken, you’re not-you're just out of balance!
Reiki is a spiritually guided life force energy that when channeled feels like a radiant glow benefiting body, mind, emotions and spirit. During the hands-on treatment, the person receiving the treatment will be fully clothed. The provider will gently place their hands on the recipient receiving the Reiki. The recipient enters a profound state of healing and relaxation, the foundation for biological, emotional, and spiritual health. The energy is powerful and gentle, providing purification and guidance.
When: Saturday, July 26 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
4374 Alexander Blvd NE, Albuquerque (down the street from Costco)
What: A 20 – 25-minute Reiki session, where at least 2 practitioners will provide healing
How: By reservation – to reserve your spot, please text:
Denise Sharma at (505) 264-0331
This heart-filled event is supported by donations, big and small, all of which will benefit the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living.
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We are pleased to have Kim Peabody with us this Sunday, offering therapeutic hugs and tantra meditation. Kim brings eight years practice of tantra, a self-awareness modality used for opening chakras and bringing forward emotional stagnations. “Being hugged by Kim feels so incredibly nurturing. It's like being in the arms of The Divine Mother.”
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Week 26, 6/25/25 - 7/1/25
Total donations: $3,156.71
Total Year to date: $107,732.01
The total budgeted weekly need is $5,226.17, total budgeted YTD $135,880.42
Attendance: In Person = 52, Online = 22; Total Sunday attendance: 74
Total # of recorded givers (doesn't count cash donations without envelops): 20
Total # of giving transaction: 28
Our total reach for the week between Sunday Service, Solid Grounds, Spiritual Economic, and Michele Coleman's Oneness: 177 people last week
| | Spirit Bound Bookstore & Gift Shop News | | |
A Message from Gilbert in the Bookstore:
I would like to thank the many that attended the Spirit Bound's Bookstore Scented Chakra Candle Workshop.
We had 18 attendees and everyone channeled their inner Van Gogh to created such beautiful and artistic candles; as well as labeling their candles and creating their personal affirmations.
Each chakra candle consisted of: organic soy wax, two organic essential oils, two organic herbs and raw crystals.
Our crystals were blessed by Rev. Gil and Robyn! Doubly blessed! Thank you! These blessings infused our crystals with Divine Energy to energize them even more. We are all so blessed and thankful for your blessings and your spiritual leadership.
I would also like to thank my two candle workshop helpers: Erika Smith who greets our members with her smile and love one Sunday a month and Denise Graham, our newest Bookstore volunteer and long time RGCSL members; serving all with her smile and love.
The workshop was a success because of these two incredible and loving helpers who created order amongst all the fun.
We had fun and we also had our share of drama! Overloading our power strip breakers due to using 3 microwaves at the same time. After moving one microwave to another outlet with its own power strip breaker, the creative flow continued. What fun!
I was the candle maker instructor guiding everyone with some instructional insight on chakras, how to guidance in Kundalini awakening and some fun facts about the Chakras.
Bookstore News:
1. The new issues of SOM magazine, Spiritual Healing Magazine, and Unity's Daily Word are in.
2. Birthday members and 1st time attendees received10% off any non-sale item.
3. The Spirit Bound Bookstore's July artist of the month is our very own Susan Solari.
Featuring her Mystical Visions Art collection of wondrous creations in: 4x6 cards, 8x11 and 16x20 prints. The images explore spirituality, soul and consciousness transformation; infused with passion and wonder. They represent a deeper connection with divinity and the universal life force in brilliant color. Susan's art has been published in We'Moon
4. Canvas Art and art prints by our own Sue Klump are available in the bookstore.
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Journey of One
Join Dr. Michele Coleman in the exploration to express the oneness that we are. Held at noon every other week in the sanctuary on Sundays. Next one will be this Sunday, July 13.
Dr. Michele Coleman is a Licensed Unity Teacher and has been a part of the Unity movement for the past 40 years. During this time as a part of Unity, she has spoken and taught on New Thought principles. Dr. Coleman is also a marriage and family therapist who holds a PhD in Counselor Education and has her own mental health agency headquartered here in Albuquerque. Attachment Healing Center has been serving families with youth who have attachment trauma for the past 19 years.
Dr. Coleman passionately believes in our connection to Source and has daily practices that enhance and sustain that connection. As a part of the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living, she looks forward to sharing some of those practices.
michele@nrguide.com www.attachmenthealingcenter.com
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POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY
Start the Conversation! Planning for an Elegant Exit Class-Wednesdays
Have you thought about who will make healthcare decisions for you if you can’t? Do your loved ones know what your wishes are if you were to become incapacitated or gravely ill? Perhaps you have had a loved one or close friend pass away without instructions and the difficulties that situation presented for their family. Now is the time to plan ahead. Advance Care Planning isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about peace of mind.
Join our engaging and informative four-week class with Marylyn Kirk, RN, RScP, to take control of your future healthcare decisions. Learn how to communicate your values, complete essential documents, and ensure your wishes are honored.
More details coming soon. Starting in January. Sign up information coming.
This class is being offered to multiple Centers and communities in the United States, so you will have an opportunity to learn with a variety of like-minded people. Don’t wait for the unexpected - plan ahead with confidence! Mark your calendar -- start the year off right with this important conversation!
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Wednesday night call 6:30-8m MDT - now EVERY Wednesday night!
Here's the latest on all I've received and created for you!
Wednesday night call 6:30-8m MDT - now EVERY Wednesday night! Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5055410265?omn=84101493400
Many of you were having a hard time remembering the 3rd Wednesday call around The Real You principles, so I'm now having a group call EVERY Wednesday night to ANYONE who's worked with me in guidance sessions, done a Soul Connection at Will workshop, completed a Connect and Radiate course, or read my book Access The Real You; Touching Your Divinity and Applying Its Wisdom to Your Life. I'm finding that The Real You principles are touching people deeply, and the biggest factor in building life-uplifting momentum is ONGOING PRACTICE. To that end, I'm now offering support to anyone who calls in and wants to apply The Real You principles to a piece of their life. Just show up on the call, and everyone will likely benefit from what you share! Keep this link for future use!
Connect & Radiate course Thursday nights 6:30-8:30pm MDT,
July 31-August 28
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81627878280
The Connect and Radiate course is a direct response to a request made by the Senior Minister at our Center for Spiritual Living congregation, and by our board president at the time. Both requested, after watching (and feeling) me do announcements, that I create a course in how to do and be what I was doing and being - which is what part of what I teach in all of my Soul Connection at Will workshops. By clearing away any habituated thought and behavior patterns, we're able to more clearly connect more deeply to your own soul as well as with others in that beautiful place. The C&R course is a deep dive into the book's principles and how to walk the walk of radical authenticity and personal truth. You'll come to know first-hand the extent to which our thoughts, feelings, and life circumstances are a direct reflection of who you're being about them. Before the class is completed, you'll be manifesting from the place of your own Divinely-guided and Divinely-sourced power. Reach out and sign up! I'm at 505-541-0265.
Soul Connection at Will workshop for everyone! July 12, 10am-noon, MDT
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84865585972
Almost 3000 people in six countries have now done my Soul Connection at Will workshops in all of their various forms, including presentations to the Mankind Project's 2014 and 2024 Gathering of Elders. This two-hour workshop is POWERFUL. Imagine being able to connect more deeply to anyone, any time, anywhere, in the time it takes to inhale and exhale! Imagine the difference that can make in every aspect of your life - at work, home, with friends...you get it. Call Brian to register! 505-541-0265
Couples Soul Connection at Will workshop July 12, 4-6pm MDT - then go off to dinner and a great evening! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5055410265?omn=83200270734
This workshop is SO MUCH FUN for couples in any stage of relationship - new couples or partners in decades-long relationships. The reason I schedule it in late afternoon is so couples who complete the workshop can go out to dinner immediately thereafter and practice the tools taught in the workshop! Powerful, rewarding, and so much FUN. Call Brian to register! 505-541-0265
That's the latest, everyone! Thanks so much for your ongoing support!
| | Solid Grounds Announcements | | | | |
Join Us Friday evenings
Come and enjoy a wonderful evening of music and community this Friday! Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7 p.m. Solid Grounds welcomes all to enjoy snacks and music free of charge! Love donations are encouraged and gratefully accepted.
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Solid Grounds is always looking for volunteers to help with the fun on Friday nights. If you would like to be one of the many sets of hand that help bring this awesomeness to life each week, please contact Robyn (818-300-3911 or rcrice1@aol.com).
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No Solid Grounds this Friday, July 4...but Next Friday, July 11
Features C. Daniel Boling!
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Daniel Boling will be performing at Solid Grounds Music Cafe on 7/11/25. He is a winner of the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk songwriter contest, the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, and others, Daniel shares experiences from a life well-lived in three countries and seven States. This balladeer/songwriter with the friendly tenor brings his well-crafted story songs to happy audiences throughout the U.S. and in Europe in over one hundred shows a year, from House Concerts and listening rooms to major festivals – Kerrville, Winfield, Woody Guthrie, and others. Daniel is also a member of the iconic 1960s folk trio The Limeliters.
https://www.youtube.com/live/c_N-ErfdOG8?si=BFdz0gOEnInLjMPj
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Volunteers Needed
Compassion Ministries is in need of volunteers to drive other members to the center on Sunday. We are looking especially for someone in the Rio Rancho area. Contact Susan Solari 510-225-5305 or Sue Klump at 909-496-7338 to volunteer. Thank you!
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Prayer Support
We are blessed to have numerous Licensed Practitioners, and they are ready to respond to your prayer requests or to schedule a counseling/prayer session. You may also submit an online prayer request. May your strength of faith provide peace to your heart and to your mind.
For guidelines on respectful communication, please see: Respectful Communication | Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
| | Greater Community Updates | |
Together We Care For People, Pets & Planet
When you click, GreaterGood funds food for hungry people and animals, health care, education, conservation efforts, and other important causes. Check out ways you can help just by clicking.
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What's Happening at ABQCSL?
Following our joint Practitioner Retreat, in the spirit of Oneness, our centers are now sharing what's happening at each other's center
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You're not alone - Join the ABQCSL Grief Group
Grieving is hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our grief group offers a comforting and safe space to share, listen and heal alongside others who understand what you are going through. Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve carried for awhile,
you are welcome here.
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Head to our YouTube channel to view the most recent video from Rev Amani. New videos are uploaded each Sunday.
Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a video!
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Next Board Meeting is Sunday, July 20th 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. In Person and on Zoom
RGCSL Board Meeting: Please note that time and date may vary depending on Trustees' schedules and availability. To attend any board meeting, please text interim Board President Sheryl Rae at (505) 918-8749.
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. In Person
QiGong: Join us for this moving meditation with YouTube videos in the sanctuary — a perfect way to begin your day! If you have questions, please contact Sherry Noone at 908-486-4442.
Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. In-person AND on Zoom
A Course in Miracles Group: Join Nancy Bowers at the Center or on Zoom. Everyone is welcome. No prior experience necessary. This class is done on a love-offering basis. Launch Meeting - Zoom Meeting ID: 849 8672 4452 Passcode: 536144
NO MEETING July 3rd
Fridays from 6:30 p.m..-9:00 p.m.
Solid Grounds Music Cafe is Closed on July 4th
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Do You Have News for Our Community?
If so, then please email your *short* article about RGCSL classes, group meetings and news that affects our community to announcements@rgcsl.org by Tuesday at 6 p.m. for inclusion in Thursday's bulletin. The newsletter team will respond to your request with a confirmation email or comments. Thanks!
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The Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
Contact us at 505-224-9405 or office@rgcsl.org
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Office and Spirit Bound Bookstore Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
www.rgcsl.org
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